Method and system for customizing food service articles

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for a customer to interact with a computer system over a computer network for specifying custom decoration of a plastic food service article. A computer-assisted decorating machine then processes the customer input and customizes the food service article according to the customer input. Thereafter, the customized article is delivered to the customer. Creation of customized and/or personalized designs is rendered feasible by providing readymade templates for a variety of events and occasions. In embodiments, the computer-assisted decorating machine is a laser marking system, and the food service articles are made from a plastic material that discolors when irradiated with a laser beam. The markings can emulate silver, gold, or pewter without applying metals, inks, or coatings to the plastic articles, and laser marked plate products can resemble decorated china plates or other permanent ware articles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a decorated foodservice article, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving an input over a computer network for decorating a foodservice article;   converting said input to at least a file type, said file type being processable by a decorating machine computer system;   applying a visible marking pattern on a surface of said foodservice article in accordance with said processable file;   transforming said foodservice article to said decorated foodservice article, said application of said visible marking pattern being suitable for food contact; and   controlling at least one of location, size, and prominence of said marking pattern on said surface of said foodservice article.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the additional step of:
 evaluating said input prior to converting said input for at least one of artwork type, image resolution, file format, size, and font type.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of applying said marking pattern is implemented by a laser beam. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said foodservice article comprises a plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said foodservice article comprises a paper substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said foodservice article comprises at least one of a plastic material, a paper substrate, and a metallic coating. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said foodservice article comprises a first material component and a second material component, said first material component having higher laser absorptivity than said second material component. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern offers an appearance of printed ink without utilizing an ink composition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern offers an appearance of a metallic coating without utilizing said metallic coating. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said foodservice article comprises at least one of polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PET, PLA, ABS, SAN, PMMA, and SBC. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said foodservice article comprises at least a plastic material and at least a colorant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern on said surface of the foodservice article is difficult to detect by human touch. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern on said surface of the foodservice article is detectable by human touch. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern on said surface of the foodservice article provides a gold appearance. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern on said surface of the foodservice article provides a silver appearance. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern on said surface of the foodservice article provides a pewter appearance. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern on said surface of the foodservice article provides a white appearance. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible marking pattern on said surface of the foodservice article provides at least one of a gold appearance, a pewter appearance, and a silver appearance. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said surface of said foodservice article is non-planar. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , where said visible marking pattern is applied to a portion of the foodservice article comprising at least one of a flat surface, a non-planar surface, a single curvature surface, a multi-curvature surface, a fluted region, and a scalloped region. 
     
     
         21 . A method for customizing a plastic foodservice article, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving an input over a computer network for customizing said plastic foodservice article from a customer;   converting said input into a form processable by a decorating machine computer system;   subjecting a surface of said plastic foodservice article to a laser beam, said laser beam having sufficient intensity to cause localized discoloration of said plastic foodservice article;   controlling said laser beam through a software-based beam director implemented on said decorating machine computer system; and   transforming said plastic foodservice article to customized plastic foodservice article by forming a visible marking pattern on said surface of said plastic foodservice article in accordance with said input received from said customer.   
     
     
         22 . A method for customizing a plastic foodservice article, said method comprising the steps of:
 offering a plurality of templates, over a computer network, for customizing said plastic foodservice article, said plurality of templates including at least a first template, said first template comprising at least a standard portion and a custom portion;   receiving, over said computer network, a selection of at least said first template and an input corresponding to said custom portion of said first template from a customer;   converting said first template into a custom file in accordance with said input, said custom file being in a form processable by a decorating machine computer system;   applying a marking pattern on a surface of said plastic foodservice article by a laser beam, said laser beam having sufficient intensity to cause localized discoloration of said plastic foodservice article;   controlling said laser beam through a software-based beam director implemented on said decorating machine computer system; and   transforming said plastic foodservice article to customized plastic foodservice article by forming a visible marking pattern on said surface of said plastic foodservice article in accordance with said input received from said customer.